dancing

Can Going Out Dancing Count as a Workout?

An expert weighs in on whether cutting loose cuts calories

Can Going Out Dancing Count as a Workout?An expert weighs in on whether cutting loose cuts calories

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The question: Can going out dancing count as a workout?

The expert:Monica Nelson, American Council on Exercise-certified fitness expert

The answer: Getting sweaty to some Katy and Bey can definitely burn calories, says Nelson.

How much of a workout are you getting? That depends on how much you're moving and how long you're doing it. Shaking your hips from side to side for 30 minutes probably won't get you very far, but breaking a sweat and letting loose for two hours will engage your whole body and give you a cardio workout. There's a reason why people swear by Zumba —"if you're tearing up the dance floor, you're absolutely torching calories," says Nelson.

Thinking this sounds way better than a Saturday morning spent on the elliptical? Whether or not a dance party can replace the occasional cardio sesh comes down to what you're hoping to get out of your exercise, says Nelson. "If you're really trying to log your workouts and watch your diet, then I would still do your cardio and treat dancing as extra credit," she says. "But if you're active and you're not trying to lose weight, then dancing can just sub in. It comes down to having fun and what your goals are."

Of course, don't forget about the elephant in the room here: the bar. If you're drinking alcohol while you're out dancing, whatever calories you burn you're probably slurping right back down, says Nelson. But here's a glass half-full perspective: If you were going to drink anyway, dancing helps you put a dent in those boozy calories. And, Nelson point out, if you're heading out with your girls, breaking it down on the dance floor is still better for you than chowing down on happy hour grub for a few hours.